Clean sheet...with help

Finally! Last night we saw the DiPietro that we know is in there, and frankly by now, have come to expect. I'll keep this an abridged version of the game events; for a detailed liveblog of last night's 4-0 win over Tampa I'll direct you to Mike Gasparino's Still Drivin' website. As mentioned, he liveblogged, as opposed to what I do during games...stand there and pretend to know what's going on.

Anyway, DP recorded his first shutout of the season (12th career) with a little help from his friends. Yes, the defensemen helped, but last night his more ferrous friends (the posts) saved him at least twice. One shot, by Paul Ranger (is that his real name or did he just make it up for the trip to NY?) rang so loudly the people smoking outside the building heard it. But, 4-0 is 4-0 and the win improved the Isles to 6-4-0 on the young season.

Guerin, Vasicek, Fedotenko, and Hunter were your goalscorers. Al Arbour was in attendance (on his birthday). The crowd (11,008) sang to him.

A few random notes:

- An oversized gallon of milk appeared in our section of the arena. Unfortunately, I couldn't get its attention or any of the Ice Girls'. The latter hurt me more. The last time I saw a giant milk carton was at the Metrodome in 2004. That one was larger, stationary, and didn't hand out 50 cent discount coupons.

- The PA music...much better last night for some reason. Sure, they still worked in the Fall Out Boy and Finger Eleven for the kids, but at least we got The Doors and Soundgarden for the adults.

- Postgame player interview was Josef Vasicek. We learned that he is considerably taller than I (he's 6'5") and he is from Havlíčkův Brod in the Czech Republic (I looked that up). I asked him a question but not the one I REALLY WANTED TO ASK. I blathered something about players checking the internet (it's clear by now that they DON'T) but I really wanted to ask him:

'Joe, being Czech, have you ever been to Bohemian Hall in Astoria, Queens? It's one of my favorite places in the world and while it has gotten super-popular in recent years, it's still lots of fun.'

Actually, I wanted to ask him if he would join me there, but I think that would draw the ire of Messrs. Botta and Witt, who oversee the interviews.

But Josef, the invitation is out there now. So when you get moved into your new place and are settled and eventually read this, I would like to buy you a Krušovice (or other beer of your choice) at Bohemian Hall. Just two guys having a beer and talking hockey. I await your reply!